wiring NISSAN QUEST 2006 V42 / 3.G Towing Guide

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 8 BREAKAWAY SWITCH
On a trailer with electric brakes, a breakaway switch can automatically activate the trailer
brake system if the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle. Should the trailer
become detached, a breakaway switch may help prevent the trailer from wandering into
another lane and will bring it to a safer stop with less damage.
A breakaway switch relies on the power of a trailer battery, so make sure it is not
discharged. Never use the breakaway switch to “park” the trailer on a grade. The battery
would eventually discharge and release the brake, allowing the trailer to roll.
Be sure to leave enough slack in the tether on the breakaway switch to turn corners
without binding. If not, the electric trailer brakes will lock-up and not release.
See your trailer manufacturer for proper installation of a breakaway switch that is
compatible with your trailer braking system.

TRAILER LIGHTS
Trailer lights should comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and
should be in proper working order at all times. A trailer’s taillights, stoplights, and turn
signals must be wired* into the tow vehicle’s electrical system. Many trailers use the same
filament of a dual-filament bulb for both stoplights and turn signals. The second filament is
used for the trailer’s taillights. All Nissan vehicles utilize separate filaments for each
function. Direct splicing of this type of trailer lighting may cause damage to your vehicle’s
electrical system and malfunction of the trailer lighting. When connecting your Nissan
vehicle to this type of trailer lighting system, a 3-wire to 2-wire power converter** must be
used. A power converter of this type creates only minimal additional demand (draw) on the
vehicle lighting circuits to power the trailer lighting.
Always check for correct operation of the turn signals, stoplights, and taillights every
time you connect a trailer for towing. Never replace vehicle fuses with fuses of a higher
amperage rating than the original.
NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring may affect your vehicle’s electrical
system. Use only a Nissan approved wiring harness, or consult your dealer or a
professional supplier of towing equipment for compatible equipment.



*See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for wiring harness information specific to your
vehicle.
**Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Titan, and Xterra vehicles are pre-wired for trailer lighting and do not

require a converter.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 9 BRAKES
As with hitches, there are several types of braking systems available. Most states require a
separate braking system on trailers with a loaded weight above a specific amount, so
check to ensure you comply with all regulations.

NOTE – Never connect a hydraulic trailer brake system directly to the vehicle
hydraulic brake system.

Surge Brakes – The surge brake is mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydraulic line
running to each trailer wheel. Surge brakes are activated by the trailer pushing against the
hitch when the tow vehicle is braking. Hydraulic surge brakes are common on rental trailers
and some boat trailers. In this type of system, there is no hydraulic or electric connection
for brake operation between the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Electric Trailer Brakes – Electric braking systems are activated by an electronic signal
sent from a trailer brake controller (special brake-sensing module).
If electric trailer brakes are used, Nissan recommends all-electronic actuation because
with this system it will not be necessary to tap into the tow vehicle’s hydraulic system.
For your convenience, Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Titan, and Xterra vehicles are pre-
wired to accommodate most popular electric trailer brake controllers. A wiring harness* is
either included with your vehicle or available from your Nissan dealer. This harness
provides electric trailer brake controller input and output connections to the vehicle wiring.
See a professional supplier of towing equipment for electric trailer brake controller
availability.
NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring may affect your vehicle’s electrical
system. Use only a Nissan approved wiring harness, or consult your dealer or a
professional supplier of towing equipment for compatible equipment.

GENUINE NISSAN PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
Whether you’ll be towing occasionally or on a regular basis, Nissan offers a full range of
Genuine Nissan Parts and Accessories to help you tow with confidence.
Every accessory is thoroughly tested and inspected for fit and workmanship. Therefore,
you can be certain that every item is designed to be compatible with the standard features
of your vehicle and designed to assist you with your towing needs.
Contact your Nissan dealer for more information on accessories or towing-related parts
for your Nissan vehicle.


*See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for wiring harness information specific to your
vehicle.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 16 VEHICLE SPEED
Some states have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles that are towing trailers.
Always obey these ordinances. Remember to reduce your speed in unsafe or less-than-
ideal road conditions or weather. When towing a trailer, braking distances increase while
handling agility decreases. Always leave yourself an extra margin of distance to respond to
emergency situations.

PASSENGERS
Never allow passengers to ride inside a trailer while it is being towed. Not only is this
unlawful in most areas, passengers could be seriously injured during sudden trailer
movement or in an accident. In addition, trailers may allow fumes from the tow vehicle to
leak inside. This could result in carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine exhaust.

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
Vehicle modifications — beyond those required for proper hitch installation, wiring hook-up,
and necessary cooling system upgrading — are not recommended for any Nissan vehicle
being used for towing purposes. Changes to the drivetrain, suspension, exhaust systems,
frame structure/unibody, or other vehicle components are not necessary for towing within
the limits described in this guide. These changes may diminish the reliability and longevity
of your vehicle and possibly void warranty coverage as well.

TOOL KIT
It is always a good idea to travel with a special tool kit when towing. In addition to tools, it
should contain flares, a flashlight, emergency reflectors, jumper cables, extra fuses, extra
radiator coolant, oil, and easily replaced spare parts such as taillight bulbs. You should also
carry spare tires for your tow vehicle and trailer, as well as a jack suitable for use on the
trailer. Be aware that not all automotive jacks can be used safely on a trailer.

BEFORE STARTING OUT
Before starting out on a trip, make one last inspection of the tow vehicle and the trailer. Are
the tire pressures correct? Are the safety chains/cables securely in place? Is the cargo tied
down securely? Do all the lights work? Is the coupler properly attached over the hitch ball
and secured using a locking pin? Is the breakaway switch hooked up and functioning
properly? Are vehicle and electric trailer brakes working properly?
Make a checklist of key items to be inspected, and don’t forget the basics. When
towing, vehicle engine oil, transmission oil, and coolant should always be checked before
starting out. Finding a potential problem while in your driveway is better than discovering it
miles from home.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 21
TOWING
GLOSSARY
5TH WHEEL
HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a king pin to serve
as the pivot point for the trailer.
BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver. Also
commonly called a drawbar or “stinger.”
BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the trailer’s
brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the tow vehicle. A
breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake systems.
BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to an
actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.
GOOSENECK HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a ball to serve as
the pivot point for the trailer.

GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is designed to
safely carry.
GROSS COMBINED
WEIGHT RATING (GCWR) The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer, including
passengers and all cargo.
GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, fuel,
hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional equipment.
KING PIN
LOAD The amount of trailer (5th wheel or gooseneck) weight pressing down on the tow
vehicle hitch.

HITCH BALL
A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch and provides the means
by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in a number of sizes and
weight capacities, it must correspond to the trailer coupler size, and have a
sufficient capacity rating for the trailer being pulled.
RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows removal of the
ball mount.
SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer,
should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.
SURGE BRAKES
Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow vehicle begins to
brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball, consequently activating the trailer
brakes.
TRAILER TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and also
carries the coupler assembly.

TRAILER TONGUE
LOAD The amount of trailer (conventional) weight pressing down on the tow vehicle
hitch.
WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH
SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires
and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended when towing trailers with
a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than 5,000 lbs.
WIRING HARNESS
Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical system to
the trailer’s system.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 25 TOWING EQUIPMENT CLASSES

Class I
Trailer hitch
equipment* can be
used to tow trailers
with a maximum
weight of 2,000 lbs.
Class II
Trailer hitch
equipment* can be
used to tow trailers
with a maximum
weight of 3,500 lbs.
Class III
Trailer hitch
equipment* can be
used to tow trailers
with a maximum
weight of 5,000 lbs.
Class IV
Trailer hitch
equipment* can be
used to tow trailers
with a maximum
weight of 10,000 lbs.

Bumper
Towing
Receiver
Hitch
Bumper
Towing
Receiver
Hitch
Bumper
Towing
Receiver
Hitch
Bumper
Towing
Receiver
Hitch
Armada X
Frontier X X
Murano X
Pathfinder X
Quest X
Titan X X
Xterra X
Passenger
Vehicles X

NOTES:
Š Towing capability of the vehicle may be less than the maximum towing rating of the
equipment. See TOWING CAPACITIES earlier in this section, or refer to your owner’s
manual for detailed information regarding the towing capacity of your specific vehicle.
Š A weight-distributing hitch should be used to tow trailers that weigh over 5,000 lbs.
Š You can tow a trailer with a lower rating than the hitch. For example, a Class IV hitch can
tow a Class II trailer.

TOW VEHICLE WIRING HARNESSES

*Includes matched receiver, ball mount, and hitch ball.
Harness Type Trailer Lighting Electric Trailer Brakes
Armada 7-pin connector wiring
harness Pre-wired
Receiver hitch: 7-pin
connector wiring harness
Pre-wired with 7-pin harness. Requires an
electric trailer brake controller (supplied by
customer), and an electric trailer brake
controller wiring harness (included with
vehicle or available from Nissan dealer). Frontier 4-pin connector wiring
harness
Murano 4-pin connector wiring
harness
Tow harness kit
available
Quest 4-pin connector wiring
harness
Available in factory
tow package
Standard equipment:
4-pin connector wiring
harness
N/A
Pathfinder
7-pin connector wiring
harness
Tow harness kit
available
Titan 7-pin connector wiring
harness Pre-wired

Xterra
Receiver hitch: 7-pin
connector wiring harness
Tow harness kit
available
Pre-wired with 7-pin harness. Requires an
electric trailer brake controller (supplied by
customer), and an electric trailer brake
controller wiring harness (included with
vehicle or available from Nissan dealer).